ROCKFORD - A bar proposed for Rural Oaks Plaza wants to cater to craft beer lovers and wine drinkers, but some neighbors say the business is a bad fit for the mostly residential area.

Ken Becker, who has lived next to the shopping center at 1710 Rural St. for 40 years, wants the city to deny the business a liquor license. He started a petition against the bar.

"This is a high-density family residential location. You have 50 families within 150 feet of this bar. There's your problem," Becker said. "When you bring high traffic into a residential neighborhood up to (1 a.m.) in the morning and have people smoking outside and car doors slamming and people talking, it will affect the neighborhood."

Rural on Tap would go into a strip mall inside Rural Oaks Plaza, which is less than 200 feet from the intersection of Prospect and Rural streets and Guilford Road. Nick Fosberg, who also runs Casey's Pub in Loves Park, will run the bar with business partner Derrick Kunz.

Fosberg says he wants to create an upscale lounge that serves craft beers, imports, wine and mixed drinks. He also plans to set up five video gambling machines on site.

"The price of our beer is going to be pretty much the cost of what you can get for a six-pack of domestic beer. The people who are just looking to catch a buzz aren't going to come into Rural on Tap," Fosberg said. "Here, it's going to be more about the experience, the atmosphere and relaxation."

Rural on Tap won't serve food, but Fosberg hopes to work with neighboring restaurants Primo's Pizza and Lydia's Cafe to cater food in for customers. The bar won't have live music or a DJ, but owners might bring in comedians or karaoke.

Fosberg said he understands neighbors' concerns and hopes to do whatever he can to ease their fears. He said the bar will have a security presence on Fridays and Saturdays and a dress code.

He plans to attend a meeting Thursday called by Ald. Tom McNamara, D-3, to discuss the proposal.

"If your business is self-serving, it's not going to survive," Fosberg said. "It's about the customers, and it's about the community."

City planning staff recommended that the Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board deny Rural on Tap's liquor license request because it the location lacks adequate parking and hadn't presented a detailed security plan. Staff also noted concerns that residents would be negatively affected.

Becker said he has gathered about 150 signatures on his petition. He also runs a business, Becker Realtors, that's been in the neighborhood since 1971.

Page 2 of 2 - "This is the most extreme thing that's ever come into this area in 45 years," Becker said. "I've never seen a more high-density location this close to a bar in Rockford."

McNamara, who represents the neighborhood, said he's already taken dozens of calls from people with concerns and questions about the project, as well as comments from a few people in support of the bar. He said the business, if approved, wouldn't survive if neighbors don't embrace it.

McNamara noted the good work of strip mall owner John Whitlock since taking over the space. He said Whitlock has attracted new businesses like sugarjones bakery, removed "problem" tenants like a former cigarette shop and allowed longtime businesses like Lydia's Cafe to expand.